Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1513136
December 14-December 20, 2023 www.shelbyinfo.com 704/484-1047 - shelby shopper & info - Page 19 One of the area's most unusual musical events will once again be presented on the stage of First Bap- tist Church at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM, this Sunday, De- cember 17th. This year's Keyboards at Christmas will be the tenth presenta- tion of what has become a highly anticipated bi-annual celebration of the season. Surrounded by the fes- tive decor of the worship center, this instrumental presentation emits from a stage packed with five grand pianos, an electric keyboard, organ and, for some songs, a full array of handbells. A concert style presen- tation utilizing six pianists at the same time is most unusual for any entertain- ment venue. One out of town visitor at the last Key- boards event was over- heard saying "we don't have anything like this in Charlotte". This leads the question, how did such an elaborate Christmas pro- gram originate in Kings Mountain? An answer is offered by Dr. Jonathan Bundon, Wor- ship Pastor of First Baptist Church and the developer of the Kings Mountain Key- boards at Christmas series: "When I came to Kings Mountain 17 years ago, I was astounded at the amount of talent as well as humility that was in this church." Bundon began building on that talent to form the current musical of- ferings of a full adult choir, multiple bands and praise teams as well as musical training for all ages. Bun- don's one-word mantra, "excellence," led him to pull together some of the area's leading pianists to develop this novel Christmas con- cert of multiple keyboards. The six pianists for this unusual program include Bundon, Michael Sisk, Traci Aderholdt, Heather Bundon, Bethany Keller and Sherry Thomas. Staging for this event is quite a task in itself. In ad- dition to the church's grand piano in the worship cen- ter, four other grand pia- nos must be secured from various locations, hauled to the church, loaded to the stage and arranged. Then each must be profession- ally tuned. Of course, after the presentation, those four must be removed and returned to their respective locations. Since such a presenta- tion is not a normal part of a church's programming, it's fair to ask why the church would go to such expense and effort? The church's pastor, Dr. Chip Sloan, answers, "We love sharing this festive event with the entire com- munity. Christmas joy- fully commemorates the earthly birth of our Saviour in human form, initiating for all the free gift of salvation. Keyboards at Christmas is part of our celebration of this Gift; we are pleased to offer this program to our area with no admission charge. This is our Christ- mas gift to the community." While the pianos are easy to see, the gifts that are less visible are the countless hours of prepa- ration by the six pianists who bring their talents to the stage. Bundon says that musical selections are experimented with in the warmth of summer, and each pianist, giving time and effort without financial compensation, practices for months both individu- ally and together. "Their contribution cannot be overstated," he says. The 6:00 PM presen- tation of Keyboards at Christmas will also be live- streamed on the church's website at www.fbckm.com and on YouTube. SUDOKU SUDOKU Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column, and each 3 by 3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9 using logic. Answers ? ? ? ? ANSWER KEY DECK THE HALLS WORD SEARCH ANGEL BELLS BOUGH CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATE DISPLAY FIREPLACE GARLAND HOLLY INFLATABLE MANTEL MENORAH MISTLETOE NUTCRACKER ORNAMENTS POINSETTIA SANTA SLEIGH SNOWMAN STAND STOCKINGS STRINGED LIGHTS WINDOW WREATH . Please Call Neil or Brenda at Morris Scrap Metal for All Your Building, Recycling and Waste Removal Services. PH: 704-739-3869 • FAX 704-739-7742 Member Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. Steel • Car Bodies • Cast Iron • Stainless Steel • Aluminum Cans • Copper • Brass • All kinds of Aluminum • Heavy Surplus Machinery CONTAINER SERVICE FOR INDUSTRIAL AND LARGE VOLUME CLEAN UPS We Sell New and Salvage Steel, Aluminum and Stainless – We Sell Brick Lentils, I-Beams, Metal Decking, Rebar and All Types of Construction Steel WE CUT & FAB TO CUSTOMERS SPECS. WE CUT & FAB TO CUSTOMERS SPECS. © Community First Media Community First Media Morris Scrap Metal Co. Inc. Serving The Carolinas Since 1931 "If it's Metal "If it's Metal...We Buy It We Buy It...Top Price!" Top Price!" "Keyboards at Christmas" at First Baptist this Sunday Pianists for Keyboards at Christmas: Seated, left to right: Heather Bundon and Jonathan Bundon; standing, left-to-right: Bethany Keller, Traci Aderholdt, Sherry Thomas and Michael Sisk. (Photo provided) Keyboards at Christmas will be held on Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. (Photos provided) OBITUARIES OBITUARIES I N RE M E M B RA N C E I N RE M E M B RA N C E Continued From Page 18 RALPH PARKER SULLIVAN Ralph Parker Sullivan, age 102, of Shelby, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Born in Gaffney, SC on Sept. 12, 1921, he was the son of the late Oscar A. and Una Parker Sullivan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth (Lib) Austin Sullivan and his broth- er, Oren E. Sullivan. Ralph is survived by one son, Daniel A. Sullivan, Sr. and wife Pamela of Oviedo, FL, three daughters, Sarah B. Sullivan of Tallahassee, FL, Jane S. Will and husband Robert of North Wilkesboro, NC, Mary S. Farrow and hus- band Robert of Shelby, NC, and six grandchildren. Mr. Sullivan served our country in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was the recipi- ent of the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge, and other medals including the Philippine Liberation Medal. Memorials may be made to Via Health Partners found- ed as Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Avenue, Shelby, NC, 28150. A private graveside ser- vice for family will be held at Oakland Cemetery in Gaffney, SC, officiated by Dr. Eric Johnson. Online condolences may be made to www.cecilm- b u r t o n f u n e r a l h o m e . c o m . Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serv- ing the family. DENNIS GORDON Dennis Gordon, 75, of Shelby, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Born in Cleveland County, on October 1, 1948, he was the son of the late Henry Columbus Gordon and Ocie Grigg Gordon. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brother, Stephen Gordon and infant sister. Mr. Gordon is survived by his wife, Sheilia Vess Gordon; two sons, Kevin Gordon and wife, Sherry and Brent Gordon and wife, Heidi all of Shelby; daughter, Dr. Lori Hendrick and husband, Dr. Joseph Hendrick, Jr. of Shelby; six grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. A Graveside Service was held December 11, 2023 at Beulah Community Church Cemetery with the Rev. John Blalock officiating. Memorials may be made to Levine's Cancer Center, 201 E. Grover Street, Shelby, NC 28150 or to the Donor's Choice. A guest register is avail- able at www.stameytysinger- funeralhome.com. Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., Fallston, NC is serving the family. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. Psalm 18:10